Pulmonary Function and Electrolyte Balance Following Spironolactone Treatment in Preterm Infants With Chronic Lung Disease: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the effect of spironolactone on dietary electrolyte supplementation, pulmonary function, and electrolyte balance in premature infants with chronic lung disease.

STUDY DESIGN

A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial was designed to study two groups of low birth weight infants with chronic lung disease at Pennsylvania Hospital. The placebo group received chlorothiazide and a placebo, and the spironolactone group received chlorothiazide and spironolactone during the 2-week study period. A two-tailed t-test was used to determine equivalence between the two groups.

RESULTS

Pulmonary compliance, resistance and tidal volume, serum sodium and potassium, and FIO₂, were not statistically different between the two groups. The need for sodium and/or potassium chloride did not differ between the two groups, nor did the quantity of each salt.

CONCLUSION The addition of spironolactone did not reduce the requirement for supplemental electrolytes, nor did it improve pulmonary mechanics or electrolyte balance.